Machine for attaching flap-securing means to envelops.



'W. E. SWIFT. MACHINE roamAcums FLAP stcuams MEANS TO ENVELOPS.

Patented May 7,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I APPLICATION FILED SEPT-24 l9l6 1,265,135.

IVzZZ wdESwi t wif w W. E. SWIFT.

MACHINE FOB ATTAGHING FLAP SECURING MEANS T0 ENVELOPS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-2.1916.

1,265,135. Patented May 7,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W- E. SWIFT. MACHINE FOR ATTACHING FLAP SECURING MEANS T0 ENVELOPS.APPLICATIONFILED sEPT.2, I9l6.

1 ,26 5, 135. Patented May 7, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET s.

LIL -I J2 Z1 Z0 w- E. MACHINE FOR ATTACHING FLAP SECURING MEANS T0 ENVEIQOPS.

' 7 APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2. I916. 1,265,135.

I4SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Patented May'7, '1918.

UNITED snares Parana? o;

WILLARD E. SWIFT, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, AS3IGI-TOR TQ UNITEDSTATES ENVELOPE COMPANY, OF MAINE.

SPRINGFIELD, MASSAGHUSETTS, A CGRPO RATION OF MACHINE FDR AT'IACHINGFLAP-SECURING MEANS T9 ENVELQPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Pi'rtentedflay 1918.

Application filed Leptember 2, 1915. Serial r te. 118,217;

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, lVILLnRD EL SWIFT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Worcester, inthe countv of \Vorce'ster and Commonwealth ofMassachusetts, have in- 7 body of the envelop are provided with cirworkof the machine, which supports the Sim 1ar vpartsgnnthe differentfigures.

cular washers or disks, attached thereto by eyelets; to one of thesedisks a cord or string is attached, with its free end adapted to bewound successively around the tWo eyelets and beneath the disks, therebysecurely uniting the seal flap and body of the envelop. I

The invention consists in providing in a single machineinstrumentalities for punching" out the Washers or disks successivelyfrom a continuous strip of material, and for attaching each such Washerby means of an eyelet'to the seal flap or the body of the envelop,whichever is presented to the attaching mechanism by the operator. Theinvention further consists in the construction and arrangement of partswhereby these results are accomplished, as hereinafter described withreference to the accompanying drawings, in'which Fi 'ure 1 is afront-view of the machine.

2 is a View in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a plan View. Fig. l isafragmentary plan View, on an enlarged scale, certain parts beingremoved to disclose the construction of other parts. i Fig. 5 is avertical sectional View, on an enlarged scale, of the washer formingmechanism. Fig. 6 is a perspective View, showing the construction of awasher conveying memher, and Fig. 'i is a view reprcsentinga inerchandise envelop having a washer attached thereto; Q

reference characters refer to simi- In saiddrawmgs it represents theframevarious operative parts hereinafter described and provides hearingfor a driving shaft 2. pulley 3', through a one-revolution"clutch, notshown, of any desired construction. Inr asmuch as this clutch terms-nopart of the present invention, no description thereof is deemednecessary; it being sutlicieut to'say that'i'tmay be operated, atdesired intervals.

The shaft 2 is belt driven by a' through a. t'readle or other devicecommonly employed in machines of this ,class, to cause the parts to gothrough a single cycle of operations, each time an envelop, l ispresented 'in position to have was er s'ecured thcreto- The form ofmachine herein shown c011 templates the punching out of seamen-em acontinuous strip of material, and" to "this end the frame 1 carries onone side a; bracket 4: in which a reel or'spool carrying a roll. ofwasher material inv strip form, such as heavy paper, journaled. Thestrip material l3 feeds downwardly from the reel, and is carriedhorizontally across the front of the machine, passing into the bight offeed rolls 7, 7 which are jou'rnaled in brackets 8, 8, the latterprojecting outwardly from the frame 1 on theopposite side of the machinefrom the reel 5. To insure against an undue strain by the feeding of thema terial, a guide wheel 9, which, is employed to change the directionof feed. is carried by one arm of a bell crank 10 whiclris pivoted at 11to the frame. The other arm of the bell crank has attached thereto aspring 12 which operates to yieldingly press the wheel 9 against thestrip; this serves in the usual way totalte up any slack in tl ejstripand'al so permits, during feeding, ,ajmove-', ment of the wheel ,9 inresponse'to strain.

on the material, thereby avoiding breakage,

The lower teed roll '7 is jmM aled in, brackets 8. 8; the upper teedroll 7. lS jOlll'; 1

nalcd in blocks 13, 13 which are moiva'hlezf vertically in saidbrackets.said blocks be,-

ing under the pressure of a spring ltact-v ing through thebar Ihet'tirceof spring 14 is variable hy means of "an adpisting screw'lfitoadapt thefeed rolls to material] of varying thickness. and to press the "material between saidrolls' with suihcien .to'prevent any slipping thereofaiming feedgi' ing. The upper roll 7' 'isdriven by Hand the two rollsare geared egal y;

in 'r dtation in unison by means of gears The other end of shaft 17, atthe rea he machine, carries a ratchet 19, and

a; pawl. carried by an arm 21 loosely journald on the shaft cooperateswith the ratchet 19 to impart rotative movement to the shaft when saidarm 21 is rocked. The free end of arm 21 has an elongated slot 22 whichreceives a pin 23 carried on he end of a vertically reciprocating rod24.

The rod 24 is reciprocated once for each rotation of the shaft 2 bymeans of a cam 25 on said shaft, co5perating with a fork mechanism ofthemachine.

circular apertured die 29 carried by the lower half of the holder. -Thetwo parts of .the'die-holder afford a horizontal slit .or passageway 30therebetween, through which the washer material is drawn by theintermittent action of the feed rolls 7, 7,

as above described. Preferably a plate 31 is attached to thatside of thedie-holder on which'the strip of material enters the. slit 30, saidplate providinga slot 32 somewhat narrower than the slit 30 and moreclosely conforming to the width of the washer strip or tape, in order tokeep the latter in proper alinement. The opening through the die 29corresponds in size to the washer which is.

to be punched out from the tape 6 at each I cycle of operations of themachine, said tape being somewhat wider than the diameter of this washerin order to preserve its continuity for the action of the feed rolls 7,7 thereon, after the washers are punched.

- Coiiperating with the die 29 is a punch 33 which is attached to thelower end of a ,re'ciprocating sleeve 34 movable in a bearing 35 of theframe. Within the sleeve 34 and 4 bearing against an interior shoulder36 per reduced thereof is a stiff spring 37, the other end of whichbears against a flange38 which is capable of sliding inside the sleeve.A threaded cap 40 closes the end of this sleeve and an operating rod 41passes loosely through this cap. The flange 38 is attached to rod 41 bymeans of a rod 42, whose upend, passing through the disk,

is threaded into the lower-end of rod 41.

As shown in Fig. 2, the rod 41 is-pivotally 7 connected at 43 with alever 44 which is p1voted at 45 to the framework. At each cycle ofoperations of the machine the lever.44 isrocked or vibrated once in eachdirection,

by means of a rod 46 which carries a fork 47 for cooperation with a'cain48 on the main shaft 2. a

As a consequence of this operation, the rod 41, starting downwardly fromthe position shown in Fig. 5, effects initially the descent of thesleeve-34 and punch 33, the spring 37 being of sufficient stiffness toance, to move in unison. The punch 33, cooperatln g'w th the die 29,forms a circular disk whlch is carried downwardly through 'cause theseparts, in the absenc; of resistthe die and against a stationary set 49sup-- ported by the block'27. The movement of the punch 33 being thusarrested, the further descent of operating rod 41 presses the flange 38downwardly within the sleeve.34,

to compress spring 37 and thereby to move the rod 42 independently'ofsleeve 34. Rod 42 has projecting therefrom a punch 50 slidable in thepunch 33 but normally, as shown in Fig. 5, terminating just short of theend of the latter. The independent descent of rod 42, as abovedescribed, after the disk of material has been punched out and pushedthrough the die 29, causes the punch 50 to operate, in conjunction withthe central aperture 51 of the set 49, to punch a hole in the disk andthereby to complete the washer which is to be subsequently attached tothe envelop.

In the space which receives the upper end of set 49 is adapted to slidea horizontal washer carrier 52. The latter is shown, in detail, in Fig.6 and consists of an arm 53 in the form of a segment of a circle, thesame being attached to a sleeve 54 which is adapted to vibrate about,the vertical axis provided by a pivot screw 55 carried by the framework.The under side of arm 53 has a groove 56 therein which receives theportion of set 49 projecting above the block 27, so'that said set formsno obstruction to the movement of said arm; When theoperation ofpunching out a washer from the tape 6 is in progress, as abovedescribed, the arm 53 is stationary, and in such position that the set49 registers with an aperture 57 at one end of groove 56. Thisaperture57 provides a' shoulder 58; above which it is of the samediameter as the washer, the distance of this 7 washer material. Belowthe shoulder 58 the aperture 57 corresponds in size to the set 49, sothat as the disk or washer is deposited by the descent of punch 33, itrests near its periphery upon the shoulder 58 and inwardly thereofupontheset 49. In this position it is punched out by the punch,50, asdescribed above. I y I Aweb 59 projecting from sleeve 54 has anconnected to a bar 61 extending toward the rarer-the machine, as shownFigs. 2 and upstanding lug 60 thereon which is pivotally formed by thepunches -33 and 50, as above described, the action of cam 64 isinaugurated to swing the segmental arm 53 into the position shown inFig. 4., the groove 56 riding over the set 49, from which the punch hasbeen withdrawn by the return of the sleeve 3a to the position shown inFig. 5.

' The washer, disposiil'within the aperture 57 and resting on the.narrow shoulder 58, is carried by arm 53 to a position to be operratedupon by the eyelet setting mechanism 4 of the machine, as hereinafterdescribed.

ting mechanism,

by means of an eyelet. to the flap or body It is to be understood thatthis eyelet setwhich attaches the washer,

- portion of the envelop Fig. 7, may be of any allv attached well knowntype, such. for instance, as that described in Letters Patent No.1,131,805, issued to me March 16, 1915, or in the pending parentapplication Serial No. 7 77 .998, of which the application for the aboveLetters Patent constitute a division. Or, if desired, the eyeletsettingm-echanism may be of the form illustrated and described inLetters Patent No. 923,602, issued to meJune 1,

1909, and covering a machine which, simul taneous'ly with the-attachmentof a washer to the flap of the envelop, Fig. 7 secures a ciosing cord 88thereto by the same operation which sets theieyelet used to attach saidwasher For purposes of illustration, I have shown an eyelet chute 66 ofthe type described in the aforesaid Letters Patent No. 1,131,805, withits lower end in position to hold an eyelet beneath a spring pressedeyelet needle 67 adapted to remove the lowermost eyelet from the chute66 as the set 68 descends, the needle being arranged to engage theeyelet frictionally and prevent its falling off after the lower end'ofthe chute has been pushed out of the way. The eyelet set 68 is carriedby a vertically reciprocating plunger 69, moving in vertical ways 70provided by the framework. The plunger 18 supported from a fixed pivot71 by means of a toggle-joint composed of llnks 72' and 7 3, said jointbeing actuated by a rod 74 pivot- I at its forward end to the knee ofthe toggle joint and at its rear end to one arm 75 of a bell crank whichis pivoted at- 78 to the frame. bell crank is pivotally connected at itsend to an actuating rod 7 8, which is driven from an oifset portion ofcrank 79 of, the-shaft 2. As is usual in mechanism of this nature, theactuating rod 78 includes a yieldable portion 80 to prevent injury tothe machine in the event that the complete descent of the set 68.

prevented by a broken or deformed eye- Another arm- 77 of the let, or byany other unforeseen circumstances.

With the flap 84: or body portion 85 of the envelop, Fig. 7, in properdisposition with respect to the usual lower needle 81 of the eyeletsetting mechanism, (see Fig. at) the descent of the set 68, carries theeyelet 86 into the central aperture of thewasher. 87, as held inposition by the swinging arm 53. The washer 87 is flexed or pushedthrough the aperture 57 of the arm by this; movement, being strung inefiect upon the neck portion of the eyelet 86. The washer being thusremoved from the arm the latter is free to return to a, position whereit may receive another washer when the cycle of operations is repeated.and its return is permitted because the aperture 57 is opened, as at 82,for movement past the set 68. The continuing descent offset 68 eifects,in conjunction with the anvil 81, the flanging of the eyelet to securelyaffix the washer to the envelop, as well known in the art to which thisparticular portion of the mecha nism pertains.

It is to be understood that the present invention contemplates theemployment. in conjunction therewith, if desired. of mecha-- nism forapplying a reinforcing tab on the other side of the envelop wall fromthe washer, as set forthin the aforesaid Letters Patent No. 1,131,805;to this end an oper-- ating connection 83 may be included for actuatingthe feeding devices for the tape "from which the tabs are made, butsince this feeding mechanism forms no part of the present invention, itis deemed unnecessary to disclose the same. In. such a case the lowerneedle 81 would be made shorter than herein shown, and would constitutein min nection with the set a means for punching through the body of theenvelop,

It is also to be understood that the present invention contemplates theattachment of a washer simultaneously with the aflixing of a closingcord thereto,-as set forth and described in the aforesaid LettersPatent. Yo.

923,602. In such a case the connection 83 would serve for the operationof the string feeding means, not herein shown, since the same constituteno part of the present invention. Under such circumstances the lowerneedle 81 would be constructed substantially as shown, being made hollowand open on one side for the passage of the string, and as described insaid Letters Patent No. 923,602, would cooperate with the set 68 insevering the string as wcll as in setting the eyelet usedto attach thestring and washer to the flap of the envelop.

' I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination witheyelet-setting mechanism for aflixing a washer to an article, of mech- Iratingwashers fronra continuous-strip of :1- materiaL aiid means for.conveying 2. In a machine of the classdescribed, the

combination with eyelet-setting mechanism for aflixing a washer to anarticle, of means for feedinga strip of washer material by successivesteps, mechanism for forming 'a separate washer therefrom at each step,and means'for conveying each Washer from the forming mechanism to "theeyelet-setting,

mechanism. 4 1

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination witheyelet-setting mechanism for affixing a washer to an article, of meansfor conveying washers to said eyelet-setting mechanism, means forfeeding a strip of Washer material, and means for punching a diskwasher, from said strip, said last named means being operable to-disposethe disk in position for movement bysaid comzeying means.

fl. In a machine of the class described, the combination witheyelet-setting mechanism for affixing a washer to an article, of meansfor conveying washers to said eyelet-setting mechanism, means forfeeding a strip of washer material, and means for forming a washer fromsaid strip and disposing the same in position for movement by saidconveying means.

5. In a machine of the class described, the

. combination with eyelet setting mechanism for affixing a washer to anarticle,'of means for conveying washers to said eyelet-settingmechanism, means for feeding a strip of washer material and means forpunching a disk fromsaid strip and disposing it in position for movementby said conveying means, said punching means including means forperforating said disk, while in such position, to form a washer.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with means forpunching out a disk from a strip of material, of amember adapted toreceive-the disk, mean's'for perforating the disk, while on said member,to form a washer, and means for thereafter moving said member,.to renderthe. washer available for use. 7

7. In a machine "of the class described, the combination witheyelet-sett-ingme'char nism adapted to aflix a Washer to an envelop, ofa washer conveying member adapted in one position to hold a washen inposition for the action of said eyelet-setting mechanism, and in asecond position to have a disk of washer material superposed thereon,and punching mechanism above said member, adapted in the second positionof said member to deposit a disk of washer material thereon, saidpunchingmechanism including means for forming a washer from sai djdiskby perforating the same. I

, above first-mentioned position; j

' 8- Ina machine of the class ,descriccd the combination :with eyeletsetting .a mechanism .the action of said eyelet-setting mechanism andina second position to havc adisk oil washer material superposedthereon, and punching mechanism above said niemben adapted in the secondposition of said men) ber to deposit a disk of washer material thereon,said punching mechanism including:

means for forming a washer from said:

before the movement of said member-to the 9. In a machine-ofthe classdescribed, the

combination with eyelet-setting mechanism adapted to aifika washer to anenvelop, of

a washer conveying member adapted in one position to hold a washer 1nposition for the action of said eyelet-setting mechanism,

" and in a second positionto have a disk of washer material superposedthereon, and punching mechanism above sald member, adapted in the secondposltion of said member to deposit a disk of washermaterial thereon,said punching mechanism including means cooperating with said conveyingmember to support said disk, for forming a washertherefrom in thesecondmentioned position of said member. v

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination witheyelet-setting mechanism adapted to afiix a Washer to an envelop, of awasher conveying member adapted in on position to hold a washer isposition for the action of said 'eyelet;setting mechanism, and in asecondposition-to have a disk of washer material superposed thereon, andpunching mechanism above said member, adapted in the second position ofsaid member to deposit a disk of washer material thereon, said punchingmechanism including means for forming a washer from said disk while thelatter is supported on said member, and before 'movement'of said memberfrom the above second mentioned position. 11. In a machine of the classdescribed,

a slidable washer conveying member, means' for punching a disk from astrip of washer material and disposing same'on said member, saidpunching means having perforating means for forming said disk in awasher, including a s'upport for the center of said disk, said conveyingmember having a groove. to receive said support in the travel of saidmember.

12. Ina machine of the class described, a slidable washer conveyingmember, having an aperture'therein, and providing a shoulder to supporta disk of washer material within said aperture, means for punching adisk from a strip of washermaterial and disposing same within saidaperture, and a support projecting into said aperture to the height ofsaid shoulder, said conveying member having a groove to receive saidsupport in the travel of said member.

13. In a machine of the class described, a slidable washer conveyingmember, having an aperture therein, and providing a shoulder to supporta disk of Washer material within said aperture, means for punching adisk from astrip of Washer material and disposing same within saidaperture, and means cooperating with said support to punch out thecenter of said disk.

14', In a machine of the class described, a

reciprocating actuating means, disk punching mechanism having a yieldingconnec- 15 tion therewith, and means for punching out the centers ofdisks Which are formed by said disk punching mechanism, said last namedmeans having a positive connection with said actuating means.

Dated this 25th day of August, 1916.

WVILLARD E. SWIFT;

WVitnesses:

PENELOPE COMBERBACH, NELLLE WHALEN.

